Chavis set for Rookie Development Program

The Red Sox will have an impressive cast of prospects in Boston next week for their annual Rookie Development Program, led by slugging corner infielder Michael Chavis.

Most of the current homegrown Red Sox stars, from Mookie Betts to Xander Bogaerts to Jackie Bradley Jr. to Rafael Devers, participated in the camp in past years.

The Red Sox will have an impressive cast of prospects in Boston next week for their annual Rookie Development Program, led by slugging corner infielder Michael Chavis.

Most of the current homegrown Red Sox stars, from Mookie Betts to Xander Bogaerts to Jackie Bradley Jr. to Rafael Devers, participated in the camp in past years.

Chavis, Boston's No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, totaled 31 homers and 94 RBIs in a 2017 season split between Class A Advanced Salem and Double-A Portland.

The right-handed-hitting Chavis will be joined by first baseman Josh Ockimey, infielders Chad De La Guerra and Esteban Quiroz, left-handers Jalen Beeks, William Jerez and Bobby Poyner, and right-handers Ty Buttrey, Justin Haley and Mike Shawaryn.

Ockimey is ranked No. 8 among Red Sox prospects. The other prospects from the group who are in the Top 30 are Shawaryn (No. 6), Beeks (No. 16), Jerez (No. 20) and De La Guerra (No. 23).

The week-long program, which starts Monday and will include daily workouts at Boston College, focuses on helping players ease their transition into becoming Major Leaguers.

The Red Sox typically invite players they feel are reasonably close to being big leaguers.

The list of speakers at the event will include Red Sox president/CEO Sam Kennedy, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, manager Alex Cora and special assistants Jason Varitek and Tony La Russa.